Public Health Advisory Committee Charter

Background

Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) provides an array of services and programs aimed at protecting and promoting the health of the residents of our county. One of the major responsibilities of the division is to create partnerships to work collaboratively in addressing health issues. One way to engage community members is through the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC).

The PHAC provides a sounding board and a community voice in the review and revision of public health programs, strategies and goals. The PHAC assures a needed link to community input into implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan and in assuring alignment with standards addressing community partnerships. The PHAC also convenes as the Ethics Committee for the Clackamas County Public Health Division.

Function/Roles of the PHAC

The purpose of the committee is to provide the voice of the community to CCPHD and a forum for the discussion of population health issues that impact Clackamas County residents. Some of the functions of the PHAC include:

Advocate Active engagement in policy and systems change, including some degree of persuasion. Such engagement tactics may include: education of decision makers and the public, technical support (e.g., providing model ordinances; data and evidence), and implementation efforts. These advocacy efforts need to be distinguished from the more legal definitions of “lobbying”.

Advise is the process of negotiating and mediating a dialogue through which influential networks, opinion leaders, and ultimately, decision makers take ownership of your ideas, evidence, and proposals, and subsequently act upon them.

Deliberate as an ethic committee. Review and discuss community-based public health ethics issues occurring within the county.

Link public health programs and services to the broad cross-section of populations throughout the county.

Policy Advocacy public health initiatives and activities. Participate in community education and engagement.

Promote public health initiatives and activities. Participate in community education and engagement.

Review reports, planning documents and publications. Make recommendations to assure alignment with public health goals and standards.

Membership and Composition of the PHAC

The committee will not exceed 20 members that represent: the business community, consumers, faith-based organizations, food/nutrition, healthcare organizations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, schools/education and youth/students. Clackamas County employees are not eligible to serve.

PHAC members currently serve staggered 3-year membership terms. Memberships have no limits and may be renewed upon completion of a member’s term. Strong efforts are made by the committee to solicit new members from various geographic areas and communities, and will be representative of a variety of industries and priority populations within the county. The Public Health Division Director makes a formal recommendation to the H3S Director of any new PHAC members. Members are not appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

The following is the committee’s current membership:

Business Community

Aaron Goff, President CEO Clackamas Federal Credit Union
End of term: April 2021

Consumer

Peggy Watters, West Linn citizen
End of term: May 2021

Faith-based

Vacant

Food/Nutrition

Emily Balius, Oregon Food Bank
End of term: November 2019

Healthcare Organization

Michael Anderson-Nathe, Health Share of Oregon
End of term: May 2021

Molly Haynes, Kaiser Permanente
End of term: November 2020

Chris Markesino, Kaiser Permanente
Ethics Deliberation

Non-Profit Organization

Eric Johnston, Todos Juntos
End of term: November 2020

Debra Mason, Clackamas Service Center
End of term: May 2021

Government Agencies

Steve Campbell, City of Happy Valley
End of term: May 2021

Kim Swan, Clackamas River Water
End of term: May 2021

Schools/Education

Vacant

Michael Ralls, North Clackamas School District
End of term: November 2020

Jarett Gilbert, Clackamas Community College
End of term: May 2021

Gloria Krahn, Oregon State University
End of term: May 2019

Youth/Student

Vacant

CCPHD Staff

Public Health Director

Dawn Emerick

Health Officer

Dr. Sarah Present

Public Health Programs Manager

Julie Aalbers

PHAC Coordinator

Susan Berns-Norman

Epidemiologist

Anna Menon

Meetings and Commitments

Committee meetings are held at least every other month for an hour and half at various locations across Clackamas County. Members are encouraged to spend additional time outside of meetings reading current public health literature, preparing for Advisory Committee meetings, and building partners to support implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan. All members of the committee will serve without compensation. CCPHD will be expected to provide administrative coordination and preparation for committee meetings.